As if we'd let you languish without some updates from the community!

• Wireplay is about to launch Season 8 with some new unlocks allowed. Check out their site for the full list.
  
• TF2Maps.net has released a completely new theme pack this week dubbed the construction theme. Additionally there's a new arena map, "Hard Hat" that goes along with it showcasing the new assets. They also have an Asymmetry vs Symmetry control point mapping contest going on for good measure. Hopefully they don't take up blogging anytime, because that'd be really embarrassing for us.
  

Updates to Team Fortress 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:

Source Engine Changes (CS:S, DoD:S, TF2, HL2:DM)

• Updated the Linux srcds_run script
  
  • Added warning message for people running the server as root
    
  • Changed the working directory to the game tree before executing the dedicated server
    
• Updated the existing localization files
  
• Added Czech, Hungarian, Romanian and Turkish localization files
  

Team Fortress 2

• Updated several models with optimizations and new LODs.
  
• Updated the default TF2 crosshairs to use the RGB and scale settings in the Options->Multiplayer dialog like custom crosshairs do.
  
• Added a glow effect to the team intelligence entities when they’re not being carried.
  
• Added a timer to indicate how much time is left before the gate closes in DeGroot Keep.
  
• Added a new plate model to be used when a Heavy throws the Buffalo Steak Sandvich to heal teammates.
  
• Added a note in the trading dialog to let you know when your trading partner is typing.
  
• Added a new Valve map CP_5Gorge.
  
• Fixed the Mad Milk effect not being washed off when a player goes underwater.
  
• Fixed being able to attack teammates using pumpkin bombs and arrows fired by the Huntsman or the Crusader's Crossbow.
  
• Fixed switching to the melee weapon instead of using the lastweapon setting after drinking Crit-a-Cola.
  
• Fixed not seeing the critboost effect on the Scout's Shortstop.
  
• Fixed the Sniper Rifle and SMG view models having Red skins while on the Blue team.
  
• Fixed the Engineer PDA view models (build/destroy) having Red skins while on the Blue team.
  
• Fixed the mini-sentry HUD not playing the alert sound when the sentry is sapped or low on ammo.
  
• Updated the community map CP_Yukon.
  
  • Central CP moved up to bridge.
    
  • Bridge widened.
    
  • Several sticky exploits patched.
    
  • Flat bridge added onto CP1's pipes.
    

Updates to Team Fortress 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:

Team Fortress 2

• Added Loch-n-Load kill icon.
  
• Added the mini-sentry kill icon.
  
• Fixed the Kritzkrieg charge deployed sound getting stuck on.
  
• Fixed the Heavy's fists not playing the critical hit animation.
  
• Item Whitelist improvements by request:
  
  • The "mp_tournament_restart" command will now force the whitelist to reload.
    
  • Setting "unlisted_items_default_to" "1" will cause the whitelist to act as a blacklist.
    
  • Setting a specific item to "1" or "0" will override the whitelist/blacklist default.
    

Updates to Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:

Source Engine Changes (CS:S, DoD:S, TF2, HL2:DM)

• Added the "Server can execute" flag to the “r_cleardecals” command.
  
• Fixed a problem where the microphone transmit volume sometimes had no associated control and was disabled in the Audio options dialog.
  
• Fixed a crash on exit for Mac clients.
  

Team Fortress 2

• Added community submitted kill icons.
  
• Fixed enemies seeing death notices when you backstab their team mates with Your Eternal Reward.
  
• Fixed the attack animation not always playing correctly for Your Eternal Reward.
  
• Fixed the critboost sound not playing when the Kritzkrieg charge is deployed.
  
• Fixed a broken texture on the Flipped Trilby.
  
• Updated the material for the Jag.
  
• Community Request
  
  • Fixed spawn points associated with a control point not being enabled/disabled correctly when the control point owner is set using the SetOwner input.
    
  • Added the "Server can execute" flag to the “firstperson” and “thirdperson” commands.
    

<a href="http://eoreality.net/events"><img src="http://endofreality.net/pubvsproimg/main.png" width="430" height="226" border="0"></a><

Couple of quick community updates:<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://eoreality.net/events">Pubs vs Pros Winter Wasteland</a> is almost upon us. Once again, 6 pro TF2 players will take on a team of 9 pub players. With <a href="http://www.tgbf.tv/">TGBF.tv</a> doing the shoutcasting, it's sure to be an entertaining match. Head over to the <a href="http://eoreality.net/events">event page</a> to find out when and how you can catch it. You can also find more info in this <a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1686012">forum thread</a>. Good luck to all the players!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/show/extelevision?s=1">eXtelevision</a> has also posted its coverage of ETF2L's Highlander Mix-up. If you haven't already, make sure you check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCIP1Z-m7EQ&hd=1">Badwater</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdM0HYT07Rk">Granary</a> matches.</li>
</ul>

<

Couple of quick community updates:

• The Pubs vs Pros Winter Wasteland is almost upon us. Once again, 6 pro TF2 players will take on a team of 9 pub players. With TGBF.tv doing the shoutcasting, it's sure to be an entertaining match. Head over to the event page to find out when and how you can catch it. You can also find more info in this forum thread. Good luck to all the players!
  
• eXtelevision has also posted its coverage of ETF2L's Highlander Mix-up. If you haven't already, make sure you check out the Badwater and Granary matches.
  

Updates to Team Fortress 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:

Team Fortress 2

• Fixed an exploit related to The Amputator.
  
• Duel result notifications now show the winner's Steam avatar.
  
• Fixed the alpha channel for CP_Yukon's donation stamp.
  
• Fixed a client crash caused by overflowing the audio buffer.
  
• The Earbuds and the Gentle Manne's Service Medal are now gift-wrappable.
  
• Stock TF2 weapons with custom names or descriptions are now gift-wrappable.
  
• Updated DeGroot Keep to fix a problem with missing models.
  
• Fixed a server takeover exploit related to point_servercommand entities.
  
• Fixed an exploit that allowed servers to circumvent the restrictions on commands they're allowed to force clients to issue.
  
• Festive Winter Keys have been changed to regular MannCo Crate keys.
  

One of the requests we've gotten from community item contributors has been for an easier way to test their creations. We're pleased to announce that last friday's update included a beta version of our new item testing system. Some folks over at the <a href="http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Main_Page">Official TF2 Wiki</a> have already found it and started <a href="http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Item_testing">documenting the system</a>, but we wanted to provide some more information on what's there, and where we're going with it.

There are two main steps to making items that we think need addressing:
<ul>
<li>Building the MDL file.</li>
<li>Testing the item in-game.</li>
</ul> The item testing system covered in this post is focused on the latter, but we're working on another tool that'll make the first step much easier too, and we'll talk about that when it's closer to release.

Read the full blog post <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4850&p=1">here</a>.

One of the requests we've gotten from community item contributors has been for an easier way to test their creations. We're pleased to announce that last friday's update included a beta version of our new item testing system. Some folks over at the Official TF2 Wiki have already found it and started documenting the system, but we wanted to provide some more information on what's there, and where we're going with it.

There are two main steps to making items that we think need addressing:

• Building the MDL file.
  
• Testing the item in-game.
  

The item testing system covered in this post is focused on the latter, but we're working on another tool that'll make the first step much easier too, and we'll talk about that when it's closer to release.

Read the full blog post here.

Certain uncomfortable international treaties have expired allowing us to bring you a WEEKEND PAINT SALE that's sure to enrage the Bavarian anti-paint lobby. It's going on now inside Team Fortress 2. During this New Year's weekend you can get most hat paints for half off, black and white paint is available on the store for a limited time, and name tags and description tags are also on sale!